Martres-Tolosane

Martres -Tolosane is a commune with 2226 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Haute- Garonne and the Région Midi -Pyrénées in the historic county of Comminges. It is famous for its faience. The population increased from 1,884 (1962 ) on the present state.

Geography

Martres -Tolosane is the irrigation canal Canal de Saint- Martory, 60 km south of Toulouse. The connections to the road network in France is produced by the Autoroute A64 and the Route nationale 117, the railway station is also called Martres -Tolosane.

History

The church is an ancient Bastide, a city founded in the Middle Ages and largely built in a train in southern France. The establishment of a Bastide carried out according to economic, political or military considerations.

In Gallo -Roman period (52 BC to 486 AD) was here a large and splendid villa, called Villa de romaine Chiragan. She was one of the most impressive Villenbauten the Roman Empire. Excavations brought to light marble sculptures that are on display in the Musée Saint -Raymond of Toulouse.

A pre-Christian necropolis is located nearby, also the alleged slaughter of bataille de Saint Vidian against the Saracens. According to legend, the Holy Vidian is here when he was defeated in battle, have thrown away his sword with his last strength. Where it got stuck in the ground, sprang from a source that still bears his name, as well as a lake and a fountain.

The road to Santiago de Compostela in Saint- Bertrand -de- Comminges is through the village.

During the 2nd World War Martres -Tolosane was on June 10, 1944 scene of a massacre of civilians by the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" - again on 8 and 18 August 1944.

Attractions

• In 2007 there were nine faience in place
• The church of Saint - Vidian is built in the Gothic style of architecture. Numerous sarcophagi and marble sculptures have been preserved.
• At Trinity ( Dreifaltigkeitstag ) the feast of Saint- Vidian is celebrated with a battle scene.
• A donjon ( tower house ) from the beginning of the 13th century is the place.

Faience ibid.

Marble bust of Chiragan

Two busts ibid.